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A mudang performing a ritual placating the dead to prevent evil spirits from haunting the lives of her clients.

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What are Shintoism and Shamanism?

Shintoism has very significant, and at times, powerful influence in the society and history of Japan. Shamanism is still found to this very day in South Korea. It's rituals and beliefs still direct some people's thoughts and actions. Your comprehension of at least some of these animistic beliefs is important to your total understanding of both the Japanese and Korean societies.


Korean Thought by Asian Society

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Shintoism
Notes (mostly pictures) on Shintoism:
Shintoism by BBC
A reading on Shintoism by Asia Society
Assignment --

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The Role of Shamanism & Fortune-Telling in Korean Culture=
-by David A. G. Johnson
Document 1
Group 1

1. Define mudang, ritual, shaman, kut.
2. How has Shamanism influenced Korea? List three ways.
3. Describe the role of a mudang or shaman in the kut ceremony. Why are mudang mainly women?
4. Why are music and dance an important part of Shamanism’s rituals?
5. Why would members of an organized religion (Buddhists, Catholics, and Protestants) use a shaman? Why do shamans still exist in modern Korea?

An Introduction to Korean Shamanism and Fortune Telling Document 1

Document 2

1. Why are fortune-telling and Shamanism still practiced in Korea?
2. Describe the attitudes of the Korea University students about fortune-telling and Shamanism.
3. What was your group's reaction to their points of view?
4. List three questions your group could ask the students.
5. What else do you need to know?

An Interview: Korea University Students' Opinion of the Role of Shamanism and Fortune-Telling in Korea Document 2

Document 3

1. Define SAJU
2. Describe your group's reaction to the teacher's visit to the Korean fortune-teller.
3. Why did the Korean University professor arrange the visit?
4. List three questions you believe are most commonly asked of fortune tellers in Korea. Are they markedly different than those questions asked by people in other nations which seek the assistance of a fortune-teller?

An Encounter with the Future A Personal Experience with Korean Fortunetelling Document 3

Document 4

1. Define the terms maxim, proverb, and sorceress.
2. Explain the meaning of each Korean proverb.
3. What do these proverbs/maxims (and others that you know) teach you about Korean culture? Why do Koreans use proverbs as a medium to teach and communicate ideas?
4. List three maxims or proverbs you know of that are common in English speaking cultures. How are they similar or dissimilar to the Korean maxims and proverbs?`
5. Why do all cultures use maxims and proverbs?

Korean Maxims and Proverbs Document 4

Document 5

1. How did the folktale enable your group to understand Korean culture?
2. List three things that surprised your group in reading the Korean folktale.
3. Compare and contrast the Korean folk tale to one in any other nation.
4. What role do folktales play in all cultures?

Story will be provided for you in class.


Document 6

Shaman conducts ritual outside South, 숭례문 추모제례- 황해도굿 산천거리

Korean Shaman (Mudang)

용한점집 무당 ( Shaman of Korea) 나랏장군 천심화 (This video is long and entirely in written and spoken Korean)

Questions

1. Examine the films in Document 6. List all the items found and explain their significance.
2. Describe your group's feelings in viewing the films.
3. How do the films express Korean religious beliefs and practices?
4. The first film above was shot during a kut after Namdaemun had been burnt down. Explain why this kut was performed (as best you can)?